I love depreciation when buying a used car; it’s your best friend. At the same time, I hate it when it comes time to trade in or sell it yourself. You pay more for driving a car like this one, due to its being an exclusive car. Good video.
Yes, that's being a true car guy.....It's also a will of increasing your culture in the automotive matter. I did the same for twenty years or so,and I had so much fun and really had my knowledge enhanced. Obviously the whole thing stands on the strictly personal side....and budget as well.
Excellent, realistic review. A lot of car journalists should take lessons from this. And your comparison to driving a Prius for a year is absolutely right: what price tag can you give to the 'pleasure' a car can give you every km you drive it? Driving a winding road through a beautiful landscape is a pleasure with every convertible by the way. But just a little more enjoyable with a V8 I can imagine...
Im really Hello U no up a been planned do low distinct for a couple days and and it is a miss I need some help would I ask for someone to walk me to this thing and nothing's ever happened all I get is Golo Google play and lovable you know and Amelie gins sick of it so ammonis trial thing and a and if I wanna quit what I do
Can't agree more, SwissCarGuy is a true connoisseur not as those fanboys talking pure nonsense ...for they aren't AMG owners,just being magazine readers. When dealing with such high end cars detail is all important. Excellent review as for my humble opinion.
As a 2004 SL500 owner I have lusted after the SL55 because of the supercharged performance. As I get older that seems less important. The SL55 was the first real 200 mph street car. A popular modification in the US is a smaller drive pulley to increase the boost. Those cars can do a 1/4 mile in the 10 second range at close to 140 mph. It would be fun! Your comments on depreciation are enlightening and make perfect sense. My wife’s 2018 BMW has cost us over $30,000 In depreciation! The next time she complains about my $209 oil change I will tell her about this! Thank you my friend!
Nice review. I miss my SL55. I think your supercharger clutch is on the supercharger pulley. You can buy those online for around $500. They’re somewhat easy to replace. I don’t think you needed the entire supercharger.
Enjoyed this Review tremendously. Simple, no frills like one SL owner with another engaged in a simple conversation about their experience in owning this car. BRAVO!
Super interesting take on used MB ownership. I have an 07 SL550. Original cost $110K USD. No warranty and 48K miles. I’m not sure what to do. Buy a new Toyota or KIA. I paid $22K 6 years ago. Thanks for cost breakdown, Good work!
Great organized review. I have owned 6 Mercedes cars, 5 being 2003 to 2005 V8 AMG cars. I too buy low mileage, devalued cars. I actually have had better luck on maintenance. Overall, I do not consider my Mercedes cars to be money pits. Leasing a new luxury AMG Mercedes is expensive. I look at my occasional maintenance as just another "lease payment" that does not happen next month, again. I enjoy the V8 power. The fun to drive factor is a big plus with these powerful cars.
Realistically the system that closes the doors and compartment is a bit more bulletproof than described in this presentation. The PSE pump resides in a protected area under the Hydraulic retractable roof pump and valve control module. All the yellow lines that traverse through the car are well channeled and invisible, the yellow tubing is very durable, flexible and hard to puncture. If a leak should occur the computer will still allow the other channels to operate since the PSE pump has about eight to ten outlet spigots. This is a design feature [ technically ] that isolates the problem to a particular outlet. If you do not have some "Dipstick" working on your window regulators or on the flap system and trunk lid lock, or tossing heavy objects around in the spare tire well cavity; there should never be a problem with PSE structural operational integrity.
@@comdutch On the R230 chassis [ if that is the car of mention ] The rear windows are not associated with the PSE pump mainly because you have no rear locking door. I don't quite understand the window seal connection. One thing that is worth mentioning, when there is a leak, the pump runs excessively until the time out circuit disconnects the power. so you can over utilize the pump with a leak present in the system
Great review, thank you, I have owned an 03 SL55 for nearly 3 years now and yes there are some high maintenance costs, I have replaced an ABC strut🙄, general servicing etc, but each time I drive it and hear the sound of the engine and the power under foot, it’s worth every cent😊. I would highly recommend owning one if you enjoy your cars.
Going to look at one of these tomorrow. Highly considering buying one. This video is one of the more practical / relatable reviews on YT. Informative without going over the top. Thanks for taking the time to make this.
One of if not the best reviews that I have ever seen. I get made fun because I keep track of fuel mileage and cost. I saw that my mpg was down on my truck. Ran just fine, but was about 3.5 mpg. Dealership found a problem and repaired it. Mpg went back up. Love your attention to detail! 👍
Those changes in miles per figures often reveal problems before they are obvious, more than a 1 or 2 mpg drop is likely something requiring attention. It is the reason I track on my daily driver toyota since I am pretty sure it was built to run broken or not and basically tells me when it need maintenance. But, I do not track to the degree referenced in the video for the toyota. And do not track fuel consumption for any of my toy cars because I already know those will break (I go out of my way to try and break them), and they get horrible sub 10mpg fuel economies. That said, tracking can keep you informed and allow you to catch something before you are stranded and its well worth knowing your consumption rate over time.
Thank you for this excellent video! I just bought an '03 SL55. Serviced at MB for the life of the car and the supercharger was replaced about 10K miles ago. So hopefully I'm good for another 80K miles. Thanks again for the detailed narrative. Cheers from Texas!
To be honest you are a good owner and really looking after this car .. for me in Dubai owning a CLS55 amg 2005 model is much cheaper .. when the hydraulic system started leaking and failing i simply changed to normal struts , i had to change spark plugs , engine mounts , radiator all from BOSCH which is much cheaper than dealer .. and thats about it . Insurance for older cars are much much cheaper over here , im practically paying the same amount as a small hatchback owner , no taxes and fuel is relatively cheap .. So in conclusion its worth it to own one here especially that people here are always attracted to newer cars which help depreciate the older ones really fast .
I owned a 2007 SL550 several years ago. Excellent car and very few issues. Sold it with 125k and still ran great. I liked it so much I wanted a SL55. I went through 3 cars that did not pass a ppi. I finally found one in Miami that checked out. I flew down from Atlanta and saw the car, drove it and then went to the bank to get a cashiers check. With the check still in my pocket I got in the car to take the previous owner home and it wouldn’t crank. The starter had gone out! Back in bank to cancel the check and a cab to the airport for me! Thank God!
I used the same logic when I bought my 13 yr old Aston Martin DB9. Using the Internet (& Ebay) for some parts and consumables and doing 90%of the work myself, aside from fuel, insurance and tax, it cost me about £3,400 in the following 2yrs. Good value, if you ask me!
@Matt Frazier I wouldn't worry excessively over the mileage, but a service history is important. AND, unless you have respraying experience, make sure it doesn't have much in the way of paint imperfections. Mine did and I spent 18m touching up and often going back to bare bodywork the 30-40 distinct areas of bubbling paint with an airbrush! (HUGE pain in the arse!). Read everything you can about them and similar models, including joining the AMOC and any relevant forums.
@Matt Frazier - AND - very importantly! - buy the best example you can afford. It's a better purchase in the long term. Do not go for the cheapest one you can get just to get in one sooner - be extremely patient and self-controlled. It will pay dividends! If I had waited another month or two, I could have got an identical one (same year, same colour even) but with half the mileage and no paint issues for only £6k more! Worst of all, it was even a friend's car - I just didn't know he had one!
Why are you buying a premium brand car and then servicing it yourself.. its people like you which ruin the perfect service history of the car and this most of the reason that they will go wrong....If you can’t afford to take it to a dealer you shouldn’t be allowed to have a car like this using eBay for your spare parts what embarrassment
I really enjoyed this video.You sir are very well spoken. I own a 1984 500 SL euro version and I love it and thank God it is not nearly as expensive to operate as your AMG. My SL has only 66000 miles on it and it is totally unmolested . I plan to keep it for many years. I look forward to your next video.
Very informative! Thanks for posting. I have had several European mechanics tell me not to buy this car do to cost of ownership, but like you said, it's just something you have to figure into the equation when driving such a cool car.
Great review. I own the 05 it’s a great car. I purchased mine for $8000 American dollars. So far I have changed the oil and ABC fluid and filter. I replaced a leaking oil level sensor and the lower bottom pan. I have put 8000 miles on the car so far. I now have 58000 miles. I have owned many dozens of cars this is my favorite. Great job with your review. Many thanks Steve from Florida
I've come across your videos and watched the Phaeton, the LS600h and now this. I appreciate a lot the in-depth character of the maintenance part of your reviews, your tone and the timestamp for the prices. It's all very informative and relaxing to watch.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I have been into long in the tooth luxury cars for many years and always found them to be great values. I have lusted after an SL55 for some time, but settled on a really nice 04 SL500 with the 7 speed transmission. SL55's are more expensive to own since horsepower never comes cheap. Now I am in the USA where we, at least now, enjoy low cost of operation and low taxes compared to the more socialized economies around the word. Depreciation of course is the big loss and it is worst on high end luxury cars. My SL500 was actually cheaper than a used Honda Civic - go figure! I have two Mercedes - an E Class and an 04 SL500 R230. THe R230 has been basically trouble free only getting fluid changes and batteries. It also is a Hanger Queen and only is used on weekends. Both cars have had a few expensive service items. The daily driver E Class - A/C , ball joints, Motor mounts etc. Now those maintenance/repair items are about 20% more expensive than say a Honda or Toyota. But what I have are top quality materials, mostly in stainless steel. Put a 10 year old Mercedes up on a lift and compare it to a two year old Chevrolet and it looks better all the time!
I kinda like this guy - so honest, excellent communicator, useful information. Interesting approach to the cost of running one of these fantastic vehicles. I need to subscribe.
They are nice to own as “Fun” cars, not as your daily driver, I own my R129 from 2014 and did not spend much on it as it came with full maintenance and service history, but now I have to replace the soft top hydraulics which is expensive. I have a 1990 ford laser for 29 years and rebuilt it for the same cost as the hydraulics for the soft Top!. However my daily driver is my 2002 C200 Kompressor which I own now for 14 years and has proven to be very reliable, with only regular service and consumable cost to it. The key is either to do most of the repairs yourself or know someone who will not overcharge for it, and always use good quality / agent parts for the repairs. I do all the my repairs myself, Great video 😎👍
Thoroughly enjoyed your review of a beautiful car and its realistic cost of operation in Switzerland. I live in the Atlanta area and currently have two Mercedes.One is a 1999 ML430 that I bought new for about 45,000.00 USD . It's my daily driver and currently I have accumulated over 415,000 miles and she still runs great ! The other I bought last year ..a pristine 2003 ML55 with 70.000 miles and I paid 13,500.00 ! Obviously I love the W163's with their tank-like construction , four-wheel drive with low range, safety and excellent visibility. KEEP THE SHINY SIDE UP !!
Great and very informative review. Always interesting to learn about the real world costs of owning an older performance car. I was thinking that the costs didn’t seem to steep until you mentioned 6000 S-Francs for a new Supercharger from M/Benz. I’m now very glad that I have a non Supercharged AMG 55 model. Yikes!
great video! I'm an engineer and appreciate the more technical aspects and your spreadsheet. I've owned my '09 SL for almost 10 years (bought it 2 years used for $50k less than original sticker). Repairs and maintenance total close to $30k over that time not including fuel and insurance (which are pretty cheap in the US). I don't do anything myself so this is the cost of having work done at a dealer or good shop. Still loving this car! You're right about the vacuum systems. The power trunk closer broke which affected the power door locks.
Your comment just made me remember that my trunk soft close had broken as well at one point. Needed to slam the thing shut, like I hated the car and wanted to hurt it. That one I managed to fix cheaply by just epoxying all the cracks and holes in the trunk lock case. Never gave me any problems after that in the year until I sold the car.
I am planning on buying an AMG SL63 that is used. This video gives me a good idea of what the ownership costs will be per year. I think you did very well with your SL55. The only bad thing was the supercharger, but, even that ended up not so bad. Thanks for the great video.
Great car! Look out for the head bolt issue on that engine. Legit Street Cars has made video about it (in case you have not seen it yet): ua-cam.com/video/Rlj7254gOww/v-deo.html
I like your straight to the point video.... no bla bla like so many other people..... I have a 2003 cl 500 in Spain..... insurance is 400€/year and road tax 160€/year .
A great and very detailed review. There isn’t enough of this on UA-cam. Too much hyper car hyperbole, not enough real car information like this. Cheers!
This was a very interesting review and underlines the fact that this car is for a select few. You must appreciate the design and be able to afford the maintenance and associated costs. Mercedes AMG ownership is pretty close to having an exotic car. I seriously considered a new E Class when I was on my hate kick with Tesla over quality control issues but the maintenance reputation for Mercedes finally scared me away and I ended up with an Model 3 LR. Your attitude regarding all those expenses kind of blows my mind. I'd be basket case at the end of all drama. By the way, my Tesla was delivered in perfect condition. It's certainly not an E Class but I enjoy it very much.
There are two types of people in the world, those that like good rock-n-roll and those that like the back street boys. Those who like good rock-n-roll are willing to pay some extra money for good audio gear and those who like the back street boys don't even know what good audio gear is. This video sums up the difference between those who care about their integrity, life, pleasure, fun, and other human beings and choose to drive an AMG, and those who don't care about any of those things and drive a Toyota Prius.
WTF, I love the Backstreet Boys and hate Prius as it is the symbol of democrats and socialism, long live the SL55 AMG baby, the ultimate car for those right in the middle of the spectrum...not poor, not rich.....enjoy life Noodleman and your AMG!
An excellent, highly informative, greatly detailed, relaxed, very interesting, practical review with a great deal of logic and sense. Your English is superb as well!
My daughter has a 2007 SL550 and in the last couple years I bet she has put at least $10k in maintenance costs. Also we have a the same year 2007 Saturn Sky with zero maintenance costs except for oil change over the last two years. Both fun convertibles.
Absolutely agree. I just sold my 2015 Corvette Stingray. In the 4 years since I bought it (new), the depreciation alone cost me $35,000 CDN ($8,750 per year CDN). I just purchased a 2003 SL500 for $17,000. Sure, the SL500 is not the same car as the Corvette, but it's still a really nice and fun sports car, and it's done most of it's depreciation. If I can manage to drive the SL500 without having to spend more than $8,750 CDN per year on maintenance (which I think it very doable), then I think I am doing OK. Great video.
Thank you for your insight and extreme detail. It was most informative and makes me see things from a different angle where running costs VS depreciation is concerned. You are great!
Great Video. Factual but entertaining. Living in the UK it is fascinating hearing the cost comparisons on purchase, servicing and fuel. I loved the driving route you took as it gave a context to the fact the car is a convertible. As to the nerdy figures......keep them coming. There are more car enthusiasts here who live in the real world than otherwise. In 2018 I bought a 2013 500 SL (the ugly one you referred to :-)) specifically because I wanted to avoid the issues of the ABC. I will say that the pneumatic suspension systems on Mercedes are reliable and the overall handling is ideal for real world sporty but comfortable driving. It would be nice to see a review from you on those cars as I think they are a fantastic deal in the performance vs real world driving scenarios. Keep the reviews coming.
wow, Thank you, I viewed this video months ago and wanted to see it again. You are a very detailed and smart guy. I am driving a 2004 BMW 325i with only 60,000 miles that I bought in 2006 with 10,000 miles on it. It still drives great.
Well done, I had the same experience with my SL and it kept needing expensive repairs on a regular basis. I traded mine in for 2017 SS Camaro convertible. The Camaro is much faster and easier to maintain cost wise. What I paid for the Camaro is the same amount that the Mercedes cost in repairs for 4 years.
Thank you for these cost of ownership videos. They are really cool to watch. I must say you seem to be doing pretty well for yourself. Especially after the Phaeton video. The costs are pretty high but I guess somewhat expected. What is not expected is the cost of insurance compared to the U.S. You guys get shafted a bit when it comes to insurance premiums.
Nice review. Thanks for including all of the maintenance and repair costs. That generation SL looks the best. Currently looking for a CL 55 from the same generation with the 5.4 Supercharged V8. Some of the repair costs will help with negotiating the price.
After 26 years of being a car guy, Its extremely rare I come across something as informative as this. A video with a lot of added value. The majority is just generic. Keep up the good work and thank you.
My business partner owns a 2007 SL500 I know it has cost him well over $10K U.S. over a 2 year period for repairs and maintenance. I, on the other hand, have 2 Jaguars XJ saloons which combined have cost less than $2k for repairs and maintenance over that time. Yet I constantly hear the truly stupid comments about Jaguar reliability.
You’re lucky or your car is in great condition or you don’t use it a lot of the time. Jags ar bad. Your example is nothing more than a rare exception in the rule. Also, I think it is still a ticking bomb, so be aware.
@@AlgisAudiFan No, I am only lucky in that I spent 40 plus years in the auto industry and know what is good and what isn't, apparently unlike yourself. As I have owned at least 5 Jaguars in the past 30 years, several were and are used daily all were reliable. MY1988 XJ6 (XJ40) made at least 5 trips from Atlanta to West Virginia and to Florida 4 times with no issues. My V12s also have been great and still are. My E-type never had carb sync issues. I am a bit fatigued by those who ignorantly parrot cliches from the late 1970s as though cars are static. Thirty years ago I was appraising Hyundais and Kias at rough book because they were an automotive joke, but now they are quite nice and amongst my favorites to rent. Jaguar, like every manufacturer, as certain models that may be more prone to an issue, that doesn't mean the issue is likely nor does it mean it affects every model.
WOW, I live in the US and amazed at the price of insurance, etc.. I have 2 vehicles, 1 a 2019 and a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee for winter driving and I pay 1100.00 USD now I see why so many people don't own vehicles in Europe, expensive Yes the depreciation on high end luxury cars like Mercedes and BMW is seriously high and tough for original owner to take such a loss even with low mileage--300 grand USD Lamborghini in a year or 2 is worth maybe 200, that's a huge loss for something that barely gets used
Honestly a huge help, really appreciate you sharing your experience with this car. People say what they want because its a expensive car but I know if its gonna be great to own then I wont mind the maintenance because I know at the end of the day its not a Prius. Nothing in this life is free, it comes down to smiles per miles :)
Great video! I own a 2005 SL500 and yes, it's expensive to own. But I bought it 8/2018 at 83291 miles for $11,000USD and it is totally worth it. I drive it everyday. I feel as he does that the original owner paid the depreciation. I am driving a $100,000 car for $11,000! Woohoo! I could put $20,000 into it and still be happy for the driving experience. I have put maybe $7,500 in maintenance into the car. These cars are awesome. I did have a coilover conversion done immediately. And removed the primary cats. No regrets.
@MrHZ-og2uw I did mine, was $1000 for the parts. $1200 for labor, sold the old struts back to Arnott for $800 and sold the tandem pump for $400 and I ne er have to worry about abc again.
Very cool. My Fiat Stilo cost 2 cents a mile to operate. Bought 5 years for $1500. 2003 had a bad reputation, mostly justified, lol. But with a great mechanic and plenty of cheap used parts, and a Diesel engine that is indestructible...car still runs even if doors are falling off.
I had an SL for four years, when I first had it loved it, by the end I hated it. The costs were ridiculous with the failure of the pumps and motors. You need a garage and a trickle charger otherwise you’ll suffer with water in the boot and electrical problems endlessly.
the sl55 is a monster and engine wise bulletproof. They sell clutch replacements now for the supercharger for 500$ and you can even change the diameter to increase the boost level which ofcourse increases horsepower. Most of the ABC suspension parts have a life time warranty when buying from one company that makes them. They really have improved on the car to the point that you are not going to replace the same parts over and over. I have a Sl63 and believe me they have many more engine issues and you don't see 300k mile 63s running around like you do 55s. Besides all that the car is a beautiful car and a statement wherever you go. It says I'm successful and still young enough to enough to enjoy life - which I do
richiemiami finally a commenter who KNOWS what he's talking about. I think many replies here are just youtube drifters who don't know anything about MB (no problem, everyone is welcome to watch whatever they want, just don't comment some foolishness like the m113k is a turd without doing a little research! ;) Anyways great point on the 63 cars, a friend had serious work done on his S63 (unsure if it was headbolts as he's not very auto technical)at around 115k. But my neighbor has an e63 and it's been great thus far (but still under 50k).....I just dunno how many 6.2's (not a typo ;) ) can go 200k plus, but I know that's asking a lot of an NA engine that's essentially a race engine, so really it's impressive even seeing them go to 150k miles. Anyways I hope your 63 car is one to go the distance! Any serious things you've had to do to it??
Hello I am a Portuguese owner of the same car from 2004. Is a second hand car and I follow all your comments and agree with all your messages. The car is a superb car for weekend travels and the pleasure and the road head turning we have compensate all the other odd things you weel said. Thank you for your complete reviiew of that excelent roadstar mercedes.
well done review. bit cheaper over in the united states, and the thing I worried about with the higher mileage cars was the ABC suspension. I looked at a SL 600 from 2005 and from 70,000 to 85,000 miles the owner replaced all the typical stuff that goes out in these cars - turbo seals, tandem (abc/power steering pump coils/ignition module some abc struts) to the cost of $17,000 USD, then earlier had an accident in the car - front end - repaired well at the dealer - you couldn't really tell - for another $13,000 USD. I bought a used 2014 Ram sport truck (I know - a contradiction of terms) with a 113,000 miles on it in very nice condition for just the cost of replacement parts, not the accident (17K). It was a beautiful car, and I agree, the newer SLs are ugly. Now with all that done, the car had maybe 110,000 miles on it and I figured it was probably good for another 30,000 miles before those things would go again, and I do most of my own work. My basic test on any car is will I be sick of it after I have stepped on the gas hard 3 times. And I thought, well, probably so. So I passed on it. I also looked at a 2005 SL 55 AMG and it had an aftermarket radio. You can get a newer radio with navigation and back up camera and other things to bring that part forward. But all in all, I did like the car, but not enough to buy one. Had I bought one I would have kept my relatively reliable 2000 Lexus LS400 - which - needed the alternator fixed twice and starter motor replaced ($600 USD) as it is under the intake manifold and I said forget that, too much trouble. The instruments no longer work correctly, but an Ultragauge plugged into the ODB2 port provides me with accurate information for $80 USD. The truck is for work, but quite luxurious and eclipses the SL 55 as far as features and comfort go, as hard to believe as that might sound. You have validated my decision against what I still think is a very nice and desirable car, its just not enough of a 'dream' car for me to deal with its issues. Meanwhile the LS400 is a bit dated, but a very nice car, good performance, quiet, and reliable. Owning an LS400 is a mistake because the next car has to be significantly better to make the investment and the LS400 at this point is not worth much with 146,000 miles on it. The LS400 is like a 2000 mercedes 500E, but cheaper to own and reliable. Oh, and I forgot the fill nozzle on the radiator went out, but I got a replacement radiator for $150 at the local auto parts store and put it in myself - about 30 minutes. But thank you for taking the time to do a really good review.
This is the kind of nerd car ownership I can appreciate and enjoy watching, oddly. It's great to know the nickels and dimes of owning a rare performance luxury car. I mean, it's at LEAST 3X more fun to drive than a Prius, so it's definitely worth the $10k/yr.
My C5 corvette costs me 180 euros to insure per year, with that price 2900 per year I would quit driving. Plus no road tax, I spent maby 600 euros for fuel in this summer. In total one driving season (6 months) cost about 690 euros or 4 euros per day, thats 7 times cheaper than this dudes ownership of his SL that was 28e per day.
I bought my 2007 SLK55 AMG from its original owner in 2009. It only had 8k on the clock. A beautiful little monster. I only drive it in summer, and in good weather. I have a GLK350 as my daily driver. I love this car, and never plan on selling it. That V8 is just fantastic.
Nice one. Agree 100%. I purchased 2013 S350 MB with 68000km for $40000 AUD in 2020 (2.5 years ago). And I fixed lots of things (new tires Micheline, new wheel discs and breakes all, new ISM module (reconditioned), 3 Service trips regular, Transmission service, detailing inside out ($700 AUD), So maybe $20k. I would still sale it for same as I bought. Inflation "helps". So the logic and conclusion of this video is correct and would also apply on S class . . .
Best review I found on UA-cam about this car ! I am also living in Zürich now and dreaming of a SL 55 AMG for many years so your situation is quite close to mine. I tested a 2003 one last WE but still hesitating a lot because of the potential bugs that can be costly in CH
Well we all have to agree that this man is "pay for everything". Old Mercedes is best thing you can get if you know with what youre going to deal with. And im consodering your own working on the maintaince. Review was very good and i congrats.
These costs are mind-boggling to me. I owned a W211 E55 AMG for a year here in New Zealand recently, and while I think the costs for maintenance may be similar (though luckily I didn't have to replace the supercharger), the insurance and road tax is just WILDLY different: Insurance (full comprehensive for a 23 year old): 750CHF/year, so 1500CHF compared to 6300CHF Road tax: 67CHF/year, so roughly 150CHF total. Our road tax mostly comes from fuel taxes to be fair, but the fuel price is very similar to Switzerland. Makes me appreciate NZ, but your roads are very beautiful and well maintained, I now know where the money comes from! Great video, as always.
thanks for sharing. a pretty objective analysis on "owning an old supercar" case. The whole expense thing was insightful too also for people outside Switzerland.
Appreciate the honest review .I've always loved the Mercedes SL's from this era and the earlier R129 series. I personally own an AMG R129 sport SL600..which of course has the massive 6.0 V12 naturally aspirated engine.Dubbed the most durable engine mercedes ever made! I have owned mine for 6+ yrs which has proven virtually bullet proof. Prior to that I owned a 91' SL500 which surprisingly gave me more headaches than my 96 SL600. Love them both though!
The SL600 V12 has a reputation for cooking the engine compartment wiring harness which is a nightmare to fix and it also makes the car very nose heavy. I managed to strip the gears of mine as well, the early versions of that gearbox could not cope with the engine torque.
SBC warranty has been extended to 25 years. Had mine replaced a year ago at MBs expense and it’s an 04 E500. There is also an electronic device that you can reset the counts on Amazon for around $30. If your gonna drive this can than you should replace the 10 or 11 hydraulic actuators for the roof. There’s a couple of guys that rebuild these actuators for for a reasonable price. ABC is sweet to have until it stops working, I would replace with coil overs (several kits available on line). That is the sexiest car MB ever made but I think I would go for the CLK55 instead simply because it has all these expensive items on the SL to fix and replace.
Sadly the SBC warranty has only been extended in the USA. No such luck in Switzerland. And the reset I could perform myself since I did have a StarDiagnose with Developer mode, but doing so is incredibly dangerous and should be avoided as it might kill somebody.
@@swisscarguy probably due to the class action suit in California. I would have thought that MB would have extended the warranty globally. MB putting profits above all.
I have restored car for the past 35 years. Classic cars with vacuum controls are TREACHEROUS and problems waiting to happen. Modern cars all use reliable motors and vacuum activation has been become totally obsolete.
I enjoyed my time owning an early SL55. Those few years will always be etched in my mind. I could leave work early on a Friday, drive 7 hours south to drive a road course on Saturday, then drive 4 hours north to drag race on Sunday, and arrive home late that night in complete comfort. The SL does everything well just not great. But at 625hp after a bit of wrench turning it made me smile. But then the repairs start to hit, and hit, and hit. Then it’s time for tires. Price out a full set of Pilot Sports, ouch! Don’t forget the rear brakes are used for traction control. Yes large brakes are amazing until you buy a set. I still say everyone should still own one, they are just fun!! My early model had the banging fuel tank baffle. To replace the tank you drop the rear suspension then the tank. I sold my beloved SL55 and replaced it with a V8 Miata. Love the MX5 but still lust after another SL55. Thanks for the awesome video.
I live in Australia and was one of the owner of a new 2003 SL55 which I kept for 13 years. It eventually beat me into submission after spending enormous sums keeping it on the road. So I sold it and it was a happy day when it went.
Really good honest and clear review. Great car too. Its quite often people buy these high maintenance cars, spend a fortune, think its going to carry on costing lots and then sell on. Its worth researching as to how much it will take to be reliable prior to purchase.
Really good Review! Fantastic and keep it up!! I love the fact that you bring up the R129. I've actually been looking into the R129 for quite some time because I think it looks really cool and retro. The only thing that makes me look at newer AMG-models instead is that I'm not sure that I'm up for the old-cruisers. Let's see :)
I owned a 1991 500 SL for 4 years. Nice classy car. The R230 feels way more modern (it is), but if you are ok with the slightly cramped seating position and the indirect steering they are probably the last of the reliable old school Mercedes.
That is a dream car for a lot of people! I have an old 2003 BMW, and its cost average similar to this, not as much but equal to its value easily in two years or less...Didn't realize hair protected you from the sun in a convertible good thing I have most of it... I think I want this car when I turn 40 though for my mid life crisis
For my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee ecodiesel (3.0 liter V6 243 hp and 570 nm) in the Flemish part of Belgium the annual road tax is 1200 euros. The first year it's 3000 euros plus the 1200.
Great review. Very accurate. Your cost of ownership are quite low compared to where I live. This engine is very reliable but it has some problems with oil leaks. You were lucky that you did not have to deal with those. You can actually replace clutched supercharger pulley without buying new supercharger.
You should get yourself a Ferrari...It will solve your problems...in the sense that you will NEVER think that Mercedes maintenance is expensive...
Ferrari was never meant for daily drive. Mercedes is
@@vics5623 I want a Ferrari...but I don't know why...🤣
@@Macedonia270 I would love to have the extra money to get a ferrari for the weekends
Or an aston martin. 1400$ oil changes can suck my dick.
I love depreciation when buying a used car; it’s your best friend. At the same time, I hate it when it comes time to trade in or sell it yourself. You pay more for driving a car like this one, due to its being an exclusive car.
Good video.
" I'm a car guy and I want something else." The perfect honest reason to sell.
He shouldn't have a car on this level.
He should by a prius.
He should of added this - "and want to sell it soon before something else breaks!"
Yes, that's being a true car guy.....It's also a
will of increasing your culture in the automotive
matter. I did the same for twenty years or so,and
I had so much fun and really had my knowledge
enhanced. Obviously the whole thing stands on the strictly personal side....and budget as well.
He's exactly the sort of person I'd want to buy the car from. Great understanding of what it needs and how much it costs
Excellent, realistic review. A lot of car journalists should take lessons from this. And your comparison to driving a Prius for a year is absolutely right: what price tag can you give to the 'pleasure' a car can give you every km you drive it? Driving a winding road through a beautiful landscape is a pleasure with every convertible by the way. But just a little more enjoyable with a V8 I can imagine...
Absolutely loved your review. Very thorough. I own a 2004 SL 55, and I learned a few things watching it. Cheers from Nashville, TN, USA.
Cheers from Frankfurt, GER, EU, Earth.
I also had a 2004 SL 55AMG, the 3 most expensive and fun years of my life!
Great video and review Sir. Don’t be embarrassed by your attention to detail. Lots will thank you for it !
You the only one
I can talk too lh
B
Im really Hello U no up a been planned do low distinct for a couple days and and it is a miss I need some help would I ask for someone to walk me to this thing and nothing's ever happened all I get is Golo Google play and lovable you know and Amelie gins sick of it so ammonis trial thing and a and if I wanna quit what I do
Can't agree more, SwissCarGuy is a true connoisseur not as those fanboys talking pure
nonsense ...for they aren't AMG owners,just being magazine readers.
When dealing with such high end cars detail is all important.
Excellent review as for my humble opinion.
@@charlierhodes4069 kit yuj
Finally, an actual review! Well done!
As a 2004 SL500 owner I have lusted after the SL55 because of the supercharged performance. As I get older that seems less important. The SL55 was the first real 200 mph street car. A popular modification in the US is a smaller drive pulley to increase the boost. Those cars can do a 1/4 mile in the 10 second range at close to 140 mph. It would be fun! Your comments on depreciation are enlightening and make perfect sense. My wife’s 2018 BMW has cost us over $30,000 In depreciation!
The next time she complains about my $209 oil change I will tell her about this!
Thank you my friend!
The best and most honest review I've ever seen
Excellent review!!! Very clear and useful!! Congratulations!
Nice review. I miss my SL55. I think your supercharger clutch is on the supercharger pulley. You can buy those online for around $500. They’re somewhat easy to replace. I don’t think you needed the entire supercharger.
Enjoyed this Review tremendously. Simple, no frills like one SL owner with another engaged in a simple conversation about their experience in owning this car. BRAVO!
Super interesting take on used MB ownership. I have an 07 SL550. Original cost $110K USD. No warranty and 48K miles. I’m not sure what to do. Buy a new Toyota or KIA. I paid $22K 6 years ago. Thanks for cost breakdown, Good work!
I guess the problem isnt so much the car, but more the costs of Switzerland added on.
I can buy 3 in Switzerland for the price of one in my country Singapore. So it’s still pretty dirt cheap even in Switzerland
@@JAYJAY-ch4ik Sinapore really doesn't make sense, in swiss everything is expensive cause people earn alot of money too.
Great organized review. I have owned 6 Mercedes cars, 5 being 2003 to 2005 V8 AMG cars. I too buy low mileage, devalued cars. I actually have had better luck on maintenance. Overall, I do not consider my Mercedes cars to be money pits. Leasing a new luxury AMG Mercedes is expensive. I look at my occasional maintenance as just another "lease payment" that does not happen next month, again. I enjoy the V8 power. The fun to drive factor is a big plus with these powerful cars.
Realistically the system that closes the doors and compartment is a bit more bulletproof than described in this presentation. The PSE pump resides in a protected area under the Hydraulic retractable roof pump and valve control module. All the yellow lines that traverse through the car are well channeled and invisible, the yellow tubing is very durable, flexible and hard to puncture. If a leak should occur the computer will still allow the other channels to operate since the PSE pump has about eight to ten outlet spigots. This is a design feature [ technically ] that isolates the problem to a particular outlet. If you do not have some "Dipstick" working on your window regulators or on the flap system and trunk lid lock, or tossing heavy objects around in the spare tire well cavity; there should never be a problem with PSE structural operational integrity.
right.... my PSE pump broke down twice during a 4 year period. Due to leaking rear window seals they only discovered at the second breakdown.
@@comdutch On the R230 chassis [ if that is the car of mention ] The rear windows are not associated with the PSE pump mainly because you have no rear locking door. I don't quite understand the window seal connection. One thing that is worth mentioning, when there is a leak, the pump runs excessively until the time out circuit disconnects the power. so you can over utilize the pump with a leak present in the system
you really got this .... did ur homework huh ...
Brilliant. Thanks for that info. 🤗
Great review, thank you, I have owned an 03 SL55 for nearly 3 years now and yes there are some high maintenance costs, I have replaced an ABC strut🙄, general servicing etc, but each time I drive it and hear the sound of the engine and the power under foot, it’s worth every cent😊. I would highly recommend owning one if you enjoy your cars.
How much did it cost you?
How much did it all cost?
Going to look at one of these tomorrow. Highly considering buying one. This video is one of the more practical / relatable reviews on YT. Informative without going over the top. Thanks for taking the time to make this.
One of if not the best reviews that I have ever seen. I get made fun because I keep track of fuel mileage and cost. I saw that my mpg was down on my truck. Ran just fine, but was about 3.5 mpg. Dealership found a problem and repaired it. Mpg went back up. Love your attention to detail! 👍
It might be nerdy to keep track of these things, but without cold hard numbers you can never have a grasp of what's going on with most things.
Those changes in miles per figures often reveal problems before they are obvious, more than a 1 or 2 mpg drop is likely something requiring attention. It is the reason I track on my daily driver toyota since I am pretty sure it was built to run broken or not and basically tells me when it need maintenance. But, I do not track to the degree referenced in the video for the toyota.
And do not track fuel consumption for any of my toy cars because I already know those will break (I go out of my way to try and break them), and they get horrible sub 10mpg fuel economies. That said, tracking can keep you informed and allow you to catch something before you are stranded and its well worth knowing your consumption rate over time.
@@swisscarguy And a shout out for Spritmonitor too!
Thank you for this excellent video! I just bought an '03 SL55. Serviced at MB for the life of the car and the supercharger was replaced about 10K miles ago. So hopefully I'm good for another 80K miles. Thanks again for the detailed narrative. Cheers from Texas!
at least keep an open eye on ATF and rear Diff fluids for early drain/fill
✌️
To be honest you are a good owner and really looking after this car .. for me in Dubai owning a CLS55 amg 2005 model is much cheaper .. when the hydraulic system started leaking and failing i simply changed to normal struts , i had to change spark plugs , engine mounts , radiator all from BOSCH which is much cheaper than dealer .. and thats about it .
Insurance for older cars are much much cheaper over here , im practically paying the same amount as a small hatchback owner , no taxes and fuel is relatively cheap ..
So in conclusion its worth it to own one here especially that people here are always attracted to newer cars which help depreciate the older ones really fast .
I owned a 2007 SL550 several years ago. Excellent car and very few issues. Sold it with 125k and still ran great. I liked it so much I wanted a SL55. I went through 3 cars that did not pass a ppi. I finally found one in Miami that checked out. I flew down from Atlanta and saw the car, drove it and then went to the bank to get a cashiers check. With the check still in my pocket I got in the car to take the previous owner home and it wouldn’t crank. The starter had gone out! Back in bank to cancel the check and a cab to the airport for me! Thank God!
How long does a PPI usually take? Did you get it with the owner?
I used the same logic when I bought my 13 yr old Aston Martin DB9. Using the Internet (& Ebay) for some parts and consumables and doing 90%of the work myself, aside from fuel, insurance and tax, it cost me about £3,400 in the following 2yrs. Good value, if you ask me!
That's the way to do it. Living the life without going broke.
@Matt Frazier I wouldn't worry excessively over the mileage, but a service history is important. AND, unless you have respraying experience, make sure it doesn't have much in the way of paint imperfections. Mine did and I spent 18m touching up and often going back to bare bodywork the 30-40 distinct areas of bubbling paint with an airbrush! (HUGE pain in the arse!). Read everything you can about them and similar models, including joining the AMOC and any relevant forums.
@Matt Frazier - AND - very importantly! - buy the best example you can afford. It's a better purchase in the long term. Do not go for the cheapest one you can get just to get in one sooner - be extremely patient and self-controlled. It will pay dividends! If I had waited another month or two, I could have got an identical one (same year, same colour even) but with half the mileage and no paint issues for only £6k more! Worst of all, it was even a friend's car - I just didn't know he had one!
@@markchip1 such a good friend you didn't even know he had one .....
Why are you buying a premium brand car and then servicing it yourself.. its people like you which ruin the perfect service history of the car and this most of the reason that they will go wrong....If you can’t afford to take it to a dealer you shouldn’t be allowed to have a car like this using eBay for your spare parts what embarrassment
I really enjoyed this video.You sir are very well spoken. I own a 1984 500 SL euro version and I love it and thank God it is not nearly as expensive to operate as your AMG. My SL has only 66000 miles on it and it is totally unmolested . I plan to keep it for many years. I look forward to your next video.
best real world review of the reality of owning an SL55. Very honest and analytical
Very informative! Thanks for posting. I have had several European mechanics tell me not to buy this car do to cost of ownership, but like you said, it's just something you have to figure into the equation when driving such a cool car.
Great review. I own the 05 it’s a great car. I purchased mine for $8000 American dollars. So far I have changed the oil and ABC fluid and filter. I replaced a leaking oil level sensor and the lower bottom pan. I have put 8000 miles on the car so far. I now have 58000 miles. I have owned many dozens of cars this is my favorite. Great job with your review. Many thanks Steve from Florida
Sounds like he got sl500 not amg lol
$8000 for an 05’ AMG 4 yrs ago with 50k miles? It just have been salvage title.
I've come across your videos and watched the Phaeton, the LS600h and now this. I appreciate a lot the in-depth character of the maintenance part of your reviews, your tone and the timestamp for the prices. It's all very informative and relaxing to watch.
I've watched many reviews of this model, but this one is the best! Huge thanks for all the calculations :)
Thanks for sharing your experience! I have been into long in the tooth luxury cars for many years and always found them to be great values. I have lusted after an SL55 for some time, but settled on a really nice 04 SL500 with the 7 speed transmission. SL55's are more expensive to own since horsepower never comes cheap. Now I am in the USA where we, at least now, enjoy low cost of operation and low taxes compared to the more socialized economies around the word. Depreciation of course is the big loss and it is worst on high end luxury cars. My SL500 was actually cheaper than a used Honda Civic - go figure! I have two Mercedes - an E Class and an 04 SL500 R230. THe R230 has been basically trouble free only getting fluid changes and batteries. It also is a Hanger Queen and only is used on weekends. Both cars have had a few expensive service items. The daily driver E Class - A/C , ball joints, Motor mounts etc. Now those maintenance/repair items are about 20% more expensive than say a Honda or Toyota. But what I have are top quality materials, mostly in stainless steel. Put a 10 year old Mercedes up on a lift and compare it to a two year old Chevrolet and it looks better all the time!
It looks new because the parts have all been changed.
Don’t complain if it bites, you knew it was a snake when you picked it up 😊
Great review, a lot of fun! Beautiful car & your English is perfect! More please.. :)
I kinda like this guy - so honest, excellent communicator, useful information. Interesting approach to the cost of running one of these fantastic vehicles. I need to subscribe.
They are nice to own as “Fun” cars, not as your daily driver, I own my R129 from 2014 and did not spend much on it as it came with full maintenance and service history, but now I have to replace the soft top hydraulics which is expensive. I have a 1990 ford laser for 29 years and rebuilt it for the same cost as the hydraulics for the soft Top!. However my daily driver is my 2002 C200 Kompressor which I own now for 14 years and has proven to be very reliable, with only regular service and consumable cost to it. The key is either to do most of the repairs yourself or know someone who will not overcharge for it, and always use good quality / agent parts for the repairs. I do all the my repairs myself, Great video 😎👍
Very open , honest and detailed review in absolutely simple way .
Thoroughly enjoyed your review of a beautiful car and its realistic cost of operation in Switzerland. I live in the Atlanta area and currently have two Mercedes.One is a 1999 ML430 that I bought new for about 45,000.00 USD . It's my daily driver and currently I have accumulated over 415,000 miles and she still runs great ! The other I bought last year ..a pristine 2003 ML55 with 70.000 miles and I paid 13,500.00 ! Obviously I love the W163's with their tank-like construction , four-wheel drive with low range, safety and excellent visibility. KEEP THE SHINY SIDE UP !!
Great and very informative review. Always interesting to learn about the real world costs of owning an older performance car.
I was thinking that the costs didn’t seem to steep until you mentioned 6000 S-Francs for a new Supercharger from M/Benz. I’m now very glad that I have a non Supercharged AMG 55 model. Yikes!
I completely agree, these are the last of the pretty SL's and they still look great. They new square ones just lack beauty.
great video! I'm an engineer and appreciate the more technical aspects and your spreadsheet. I've owned my '09 SL for almost 10 years (bought it 2 years used for $50k less than original sticker). Repairs and maintenance total close to $30k over that time not including fuel and insurance (which are pretty cheap in the US). I don't do anything myself so this is the cost of having work done at a dealer or good shop. Still loving this car!
You're right about the vacuum systems. The power trunk closer broke which affected the power door locks.
Your comment just made me remember that my trunk soft close had broken as well at one point. Needed to slam the thing shut, like I hated the car and wanted to hurt it. That one I managed to fix cheaply by just epoxying all the cracks and holes in the trunk lock case. Never gave me any problems after that in the year until I sold the car.
Yikes, you've done about 30k in repairs in ten years? well, I am selling my '11 550 ASAP, HAHA.
I am planning on buying an AMG SL63 that is used. This video gives me a good idea of what the ownership costs will be per year. I think you did very well with your SL55. The only bad thing was the supercharger, but, even that ended up not so bad.
Thanks for the great video.
Great car! Look out for the head bolt issue on that engine. Legit Street Cars has made video about it (in case you have not seen it yet): ua-cam.com/video/Rlj7254gOww/v-deo.html
Thanks for the heads up on the head bolt issue. I will watch that video.
I like your straight to the point video.... no bla bla like so many other people..... I have a 2003 cl 500 in Spain..... insurance is 400€/year and road tax 160€/year .
A great and very detailed review. There isn’t enough of this on UA-cam. Too much hyper car hyperbole, not enough real car information like this. Cheers!
Great vid. I can’t wait for spring time here in Canada to get my 03 SL55 🤗🤗
Nice, precise report on actual costs of owning this car. Like you, I share the desire to drive, and older classic car than a new cheaper type car.
What an intelligent, sensible and informative review! Good Job!
Articulate, conscience and detailed. Great job. I have become a subscriber. Keep up the great work.
Excellent, helpful and very detailed review. I’m in the process of finding a good SL55 now and doing my homework. Thanks.
Very nice review on the SL55 you did a great job explaning the drivability and costs of owning an older Mercedes, thank you.
This was a very interesting review and underlines the fact that this car is for a select few. You must appreciate the design and be able to afford the maintenance and associated costs. Mercedes AMG ownership is pretty close to having an exotic car.
I seriously considered a new E Class when I was on my hate kick with Tesla over quality control issues but the maintenance reputation for Mercedes finally scared me away and I ended up with an Model 3 LR.
Your attitude regarding all those expenses kind of blows my mind. I'd be basket case at the end of all drama.
By the way, my Tesla was delivered in perfect condition. It's certainly not an E Class but I enjoy it very much.
There are two types of people in the world, those that like good rock-n-roll and those that like the back street boys. Those who like good rock-n-roll are willing to pay some extra money for good audio gear and those who like the back street boys don't even know what good audio gear is. This video sums up the difference between those who care about their integrity, life, pleasure, fun, and other human beings and choose to drive an AMG, and those who don't care about any of those things and drive a Toyota Prius.
WTF, I love the Backstreet Boys and hate Prius as it is the symbol of democrats and socialism, long live the SL55 AMG baby, the ultimate car for those right in the middle of the spectrum...not poor, not rich.....enjoy life Noodleman and your AMG!
Your English is better than my English because of the quality of your educational system. Thank you so much for this awesome review!
An excellent, highly informative, greatly detailed, relaxed, very interesting, practical review with a great deal of logic and sense. Your English is superb as well!
My daughter has a 2007 SL550 and in the last couple years I bet she has put at least $10k in maintenance costs. Also we have a the same year 2007 Saturn Sky with zero maintenance costs except for oil change over the last two years. Both fun convertibles.
Absolutely agree. I just sold my 2015 Corvette Stingray. In the 4 years since I bought it (new), the depreciation alone cost me $35,000 CDN ($8,750 per year CDN). I just purchased a 2003 SL500 for $17,000. Sure, the SL500 is not the same car as the Corvette, but it's still a really nice and fun sports car, and it's done most of it's depreciation. If I can manage to drive the SL500 without having to spend more than $8,750 CDN per year on maintenance (which I think it very doable), then I think I am doing OK. Great video.
Thank you for your insight and extreme detail. It was most informative and makes me see things from a different angle where running costs VS depreciation is concerned. You are great!
Loved this review! I’m looking forward to the next!
Great Video. Factual but entertaining. Living in the UK it is fascinating hearing the cost comparisons on purchase, servicing and fuel. I loved the driving route you took as it gave a context to the fact the car is a convertible. As to the nerdy figures......keep them coming. There are more car enthusiasts here who live in the real world than otherwise. In 2018 I bought a 2013 500 SL (the ugly one you referred to :-)) specifically because I wanted to avoid the issues of the ABC. I will say that the pneumatic suspension systems on Mercedes are reliable and the overall handling is ideal for real world sporty but comfortable driving. It would be nice to see a review from you on those cars as I think they are a fantastic deal in the performance vs real world driving scenarios. Keep the reviews coming.
wow, Thank you, I viewed this video months ago and wanted to see it again. You are a very detailed and smart guy. I am driving a 2004 BMW 325i with only 60,000 miles that I bought in 2006 with 10,000 miles on it. It still drives great.
Well done, I had the same experience with my SL and it kept needing expensive repairs on a regular basis. I traded mine in for 2017 SS Camaro convertible. The Camaro is much faster and easier to maintain cost wise. What I paid for the Camaro is the same amount that the Mercedes cost in repairs for 4 years.
well, a camaro can never have the pedigree ...right ... a merc is a merc ... that is why it is a luxury car....
Absolutely terrific, and also entertaining. Have owned several MBZ's so can relate. Thank you.
Thank again SCG. Your educated and witty analysii are always of great interest !!!
Thank you for these cost of ownership videos. They are really cool to watch. I must say you seem to be doing pretty well for yourself. Especially after the Phaeton video. The costs are pretty high but I guess somewhat expected. What is not expected is the cost of insurance compared to the U.S. You guys get shafted a bit when it comes to insurance premiums.
Very good video. Easy to listen to and nice to watch. One day I hope to own an SL myself, perhaps not the 55 AMG, but maybe the 500.
Truly a great and real review! This is what the reality is and it´s what most wanna know! Keep it up!
The best review I have ever seen. Thanks a lot, it was brilliant.
Nice review. Thanks for including all of the maintenance and repair costs. That generation SL looks the best. Currently looking for a CL 55 from the same generation with the 5.4 Supercharged V8. Some of the repair costs will help with negotiating the price.
After 26 years of being a car guy, Its extremely rare I come across something as informative as this. A video with a lot of added value. The majority is just generic. Keep up the good work and thank you.
i agree.... absolutely ... just lkg at the guy.... i knew he would be good ... and he was ...
Great video, and with the best sound recording I have ever heard 👍🏼
My business partner owns a 2007 SL500 I know it has cost him well over $10K U.S. over a 2 year period for repairs and maintenance. I, on the other hand, have 2 Jaguars XJ saloons which combined have cost less than $2k for repairs and maintenance over that time. Yet I constantly hear the truly stupid comments about Jaguar reliability.
You’re lucky or your car is in great condition or you don’t use it a lot of the time. Jags ar bad. Your example is nothing more than a rare exception in the rule. Also, I think it is still a ticking bomb, so be aware.
@@AlgisAudiFan No, I am only lucky in that I spent 40 plus years in the auto industry and know what is good and what isn't, apparently unlike yourself. As I have owned at least 5 Jaguars in the past 30 years, several were and are used daily all were reliable. MY1988 XJ6 (XJ40) made at least 5 trips from Atlanta to West Virginia and to Florida 4 times with no issues. My V12s also have been great and still are. My E-type never had carb sync issues. I am a bit fatigued by those who ignorantly parrot cliches from the late 1970s as though cars are static. Thirty years ago I was appraising Hyundais and Kias at rough book because they were an automotive joke, but now they are quite nice and amongst my favorites to rent. Jaguar, like every manufacturer, as certain models that may be more prone to an issue, that doesn't mean the issue is likely nor does it mean it affects every model.
Clarkecars I had one total junk.
WOW, I live in the US and amazed at the price of insurance, etc.. I have 2 vehicles, 1 a 2019 and a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee for winter driving and I pay 1100.00 USD now I see why so many people don't own vehicles in Europe, expensive
Yes the depreciation on high end luxury cars like Mercedes and BMW is seriously high and tough for original owner to take such a loss even with low mileage--300 grand USD Lamborghini in a year or 2 is worth maybe 200, that's a huge loss for something that barely gets used
you know there are many different countries in europe right? switzerland is not representative for insurance costs across the whole continent.
@@catalinxnecula No I never knew that but thank you so much for informing me
Honestly a huge help, really appreciate you sharing your experience with this car. People say what they want because its a expensive car but I know if its gonna be great to own then I wont mind the maintenance because I know at the end of the day its not a Prius. Nothing in this life is free, it comes down to smiles per miles :)
Smiles per gallon… it’s smiles. Per. Gallon.
@@Taboloncawonthemasters that’s why people smoke big fat cigars in limos “ Stops them thinking about the mpg lol 😳
Great video! I own a 2005 SL500 and yes, it's expensive to own. But I bought it 8/2018 at 83291 miles for $11,000USD and it is totally worth it. I drive it everyday. I feel as he does that the original owner paid the depreciation. I am driving a $100,000 car for $11,000! Woohoo! I could put $20,000 into it and still be happy for the driving experience. I have put maybe $7,500 in maintenance into the car. These cars are awesome. I did have a coilover conversion done immediately. And removed the primary cats. No regrets.
Is the coilover conversation expensive? How much did it cost
@MrHZ-og2uw I did mine, was $1000 for the parts. $1200 for labor, sold the old struts back to Arnott for $800 and sold the tandem pump for $400 and I ne er have to worry about abc again.
Very cool. My Fiat Stilo cost 2 cents a mile to operate. Bought 5 years for $1500. 2003 had a bad reputation, mostly justified, lol. But with a great mechanic and plenty of cheap used parts, and a Diesel engine that is indestructible...car still runs even if doors are falling off.
It's cheap but even less fun to drive and be seen in than Prius.
I had an SL for four years, when I first had it loved it, by the end I hated it. The costs were ridiculous with the failure of the pumps and motors. You need a garage and a trickle charger otherwise you’ll suffer with water in the boot and electrical problems endlessly.
yep, you've been schooled! People buy German performance cars thinking they are a notch above then reality creps in... 🙄
When ever I see car review. This is what I expect, but rarely see. Thank you for your effort in making this video. Subscribed.
Really great review! I am looking into an 07’ SL55. Seems like a cool car to own!
Great review from the UK!! Keep it up dude!
the sl55 is a monster and engine wise bulletproof. They sell clutch replacements now for the supercharger for 500$ and you can even change the diameter to increase the boost level which ofcourse increases horsepower. Most of the ABC suspension parts have a life time warranty when buying from one company that makes them. They really have improved on the car to the point that you are not going to replace the same parts over and over. I have a Sl63 and believe me they have many more engine issues and you don't see 300k mile 63s running around like you do 55s. Besides all that the car is a beautiful car and a statement wherever you go. It says I'm successful and still young enough to enough to enjoy life - which I do
richiemiami finally a commenter who KNOWS what he's talking about. I think many replies here are just youtube drifters who don't know anything about MB (no problem, everyone is welcome to watch whatever they want, just don't comment some foolishness like the m113k is a turd without doing a little research! ;)
Anyways great point on the 63 cars, a friend had serious work done on his S63 (unsure if it was headbolts as he's not very auto technical)at around 115k. But my neighbor has an e63 and it's been great thus far (but still under 50k).....I just dunno how many 6.2's (not a typo ;) ) can go 200k plus, but I know that's asking a lot of an NA engine that's essentially a race engine, so really it's impressive even seeing them go to 150k miles. Anyways I hope your 63 car is one to go the distance! Any serious things you've had to do to it??
Hello
I am a Portuguese owner of the same car from 2004. Is a second hand car and I follow all your comments and agree with all your messages.
The car is a superb car for weekend travels and the pleasure and the road head turning we have compensate all the other odd things you weel said.
Thank you for your complete reviiew of that excelent roadstar mercedes.
well done review. bit cheaper over in the united states, and the thing I worried about with the higher mileage cars was the ABC suspension. I looked at a SL 600 from 2005 and from 70,000 to 85,000 miles the owner replaced all the typical stuff that goes out in these cars - turbo seals, tandem (abc/power steering pump coils/ignition module some abc struts) to the cost of $17,000 USD, then earlier had an accident in the car - front end - repaired well at the dealer - you couldn't really tell - for another $13,000 USD. I bought a used 2014 Ram sport truck (I know - a contradiction of terms) with a 113,000 miles on it in very nice condition for just the cost of replacement parts, not the accident (17K). It was a beautiful car, and I agree, the newer SLs are ugly. Now with all that done, the car had maybe 110,000 miles on it and I figured it was probably good for another 30,000 miles before those things would go again, and I do most of my own work. My basic test on any car is will I be sick of it after I have stepped on the gas hard 3 times. And I thought, well, probably so. So I passed on it. I also looked at a 2005 SL 55 AMG and it had an aftermarket radio. You can get a newer radio with navigation and back up camera and other things to bring that part forward. But all in all, I did like the car, but not enough to buy one. Had I bought one I would have kept my relatively reliable 2000 Lexus LS400 - which - needed the alternator fixed twice and starter motor replaced ($600 USD) as it is under the intake manifold and I said forget that, too much trouble. The instruments no longer work correctly, but an Ultragauge plugged into the ODB2 port provides me with accurate information for $80 USD. The truck is for work, but quite luxurious and eclipses the SL 55 as far as features and comfort go, as hard to believe as that might sound. You have validated my decision against what I still think is a very nice and desirable car, its just not enough of a 'dream' car for me to deal with its issues. Meanwhile the LS400 is a bit dated, but a very nice car, good performance, quiet, and reliable. Owning an LS400 is a mistake because the next car has to be significantly better to make the investment and the LS400 at this point is not worth much with 146,000 miles on it. The LS400 is like a 2000 mercedes 500E, but cheaper to own and reliable. Oh, and I forgot the fill nozzle on the radiator went out, but I got a replacement radiator for $150 at the local auto parts store and put it in myself - about 30 minutes. But thank you for taking the time to do a really good review.
Perfectly said bro that’s why I’m always keeping my 2006 Lexus LS430 what a gem of a car bro 💎😍🥰😎🤝
This is the kind of nerd car ownership I can appreciate and enjoy watching, oddly. It's great to know the nickels and dimes of owning a rare performance luxury car. I mean, it's at LEAST 3X more fun to drive than a Prius, so it's definitely worth the $10k/yr.
My C5 corvette costs me 180 euros to insure per year, with that price 2900 per year I would quit driving. Plus no road tax, I spent maby 600 euros for fuel in this summer. In total one driving season (6 months) cost about 690 euros or 4 euros per day, thats 7 times cheaper than this dudes ownership of his SL that was 28e per day.
Yes but you drive a Corvette, can’t compare, and I know.
I bought my 2007 SLK55 AMG from its original owner in 2009. It only had 8k on the clock. A beautiful little monster. I only drive it in summer, and in good weather. I have a GLK350 as my daily driver. I love this car, and never plan on selling it. That V8 is just fantastic.
Very nice review! Informative and real world- thank you
That was a very informative video, thank you for sharing. I love the the SL but I'm pretty sure that I will end up with the SL 350
Nice one. Agree 100%. I purchased 2013 S350 MB with 68000km for $40000 AUD in 2020 (2.5 years ago). And I fixed lots of things (new tires Micheline, new wheel discs and breakes all, new ISM module (reconditioned), 3 Service trips regular, Transmission service, detailing inside out ($700 AUD), So maybe $20k. I would still sale it for same as I bought. Inflation "helps". So the logic and conclusion of this video is correct and would also apply on S class . . .
Best review I found on UA-cam about this car ! I am also living in Zürich now and dreaming of a SL 55 AMG for many years so your situation is quite close to mine. I tested a 2003 one last WE but still hesitating a lot because of the potential bugs that can be costly in CH
If you want some suggestions, feel free to write me at info@swissreviews.ch
Well we all have to agree that this man is "pay for everything". Old Mercedes is best thing you can get if you know with what youre going to deal with. And im consodering your own working on the maintaince. Review was very good and i congrats.
These costs are mind-boggling to me. I owned a W211 E55 AMG for a year here in New Zealand recently, and while I think the costs for maintenance may be similar (though luckily I didn't have to replace the supercharger), the insurance and road tax is just WILDLY different:
Insurance (full comprehensive for a 23 year old): 750CHF/year, so 1500CHF compared to 6300CHF
Road tax: 67CHF/year, so roughly 150CHF total. Our road tax mostly comes from fuel taxes to be fair, but the fuel price is very similar to Switzerland.
Makes me appreciate NZ, but your roads are very beautiful and well maintained, I now know where the money comes from!
Great video, as always.
thanks for sharing. a pretty objective analysis on "owning an old supercar" case. The whole expense thing was insightful too also for people outside Switzerland.
Appreciate the honest review .I've always loved the Mercedes SL's from this era and the earlier R129 series. I personally own an AMG R129 sport SL600..which of course has the massive 6.0 V12 naturally aspirated engine.Dubbed the most durable engine mercedes ever made! I have owned mine for 6+ yrs which has proven virtually bullet proof. Prior to that I owned a 91' SL500 which surprisingly gave me more headaches than my 96 SL600.
Love them both though!
I've never heard that the V12 was "best engine MB made" as it's very complex and it was MB's first V12, but glad you haven't had problems.
The SL600 V12 has a reputation for cooking the engine compartment wiring harness which is a nightmare to fix and it also makes the car very nose heavy. I managed to strip the gears of mine as well, the early versions of that gearbox could not cope with the engine torque.
SBC warranty has been extended to 25 years. Had mine replaced a year ago at MBs expense and it’s an 04 E500. There is also an electronic device that you can reset the counts on Amazon for around $30.
If your gonna drive this can than you should replace the 10 or 11 hydraulic actuators for the roof. There’s a couple of guys that rebuild these actuators for for a reasonable price.
ABC is sweet to have until it stops working, I would replace with coil overs (several kits available on line).
That is the sexiest car MB ever made but I think I would go for the CLK55 instead simply because it has all these expensive items on the SL to fix and replace.
Sadly the SBC warranty has only been extended in the USA. No such luck in Switzerland. And the reset I could perform myself since I did have a StarDiagnose with Developer mode, but doing so is incredibly dangerous and should be avoided as it might kill somebody.
@@swisscarguy probably due to the class action suit in California. I would have thought that MB would have extended the warranty globally. MB putting profits above all.
I have restored car for the past 35 years. Classic cars with vacuum controls are TREACHEROUS and problems waiting to happen. Modern cars all use reliable motors and vacuum activation has been become totally obsolete.
I enjoyed my time owning an early SL55. Those few years will always be etched in my mind. I could leave work early on a Friday, drive 7 hours south to drive a road course on Saturday, then drive 4 hours north to drag race on Sunday, and arrive home late that night in complete comfort. The SL does everything well just not great. But at 625hp after a bit of wrench turning it made me smile. But then the repairs start to hit, and hit, and hit. Then it’s time for tires. Price out a full set of Pilot Sports, ouch! Don’t forget the rear brakes are used for traction control. Yes large brakes are amazing until you buy a set. I still say everyone should still own one, they are just fun!! My early model had the banging fuel tank baffle. To replace the tank you drop the rear suspension then the tank. I sold my beloved SL55 and replaced it with a V8 Miata. Love the MX5 but still lust after another SL55. Thanks for the awesome video.
I live in Australia and was one of the owner of a new 2003 SL55 which I kept for 13 years. It eventually beat me into submission after spending enormous sums keeping it on the road. So I sold it and it was a happy day when it went.
Very informative video...thanks for the meticulous record keeping and a wonderful detailed presentation of your ownership. It was great to watch.
Really good honest and clear review. Great car too. Its quite often people buy these high maintenance cars, spend a fortune, think its going to carry on costing lots and then sell on. Its worth researching as to how much it will take to be reliable prior to purchase.
Really good Review! Fantastic and keep it up!!
I love the fact that you bring up the R129. I've actually been looking into the R129 for quite some time because I think it looks really cool and retro. The only thing that makes me look at newer AMG-models instead is that I'm not sure that I'm up for the old-cruisers. Let's see :)
I owned a 1991 500 SL for 4 years. Nice classy car. The R230 feels way more modern (it is), but if you are ok with the slightly cramped seating position and the indirect steering they are probably the last of the reliable old school Mercedes.
Very nice review! Thanks, I have been looking at these & it’s nice to have a realistic view of the vehicle characteristics & costs
That is a dream car for a lot of people! I have an old 2003 BMW, and its cost average similar to this, not as much but equal to its value easily in two years or less...Didn't realize hair protected you from the sun in a convertible good thing I have most of it... I think I want this car when I turn 40 though for my mid life crisis
For my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee ecodiesel (3.0 liter V6 243 hp and 570 nm) in the Flemish part of Belgium the annual road tax is 1200 euros. The first year it's 3000 euros plus the 1200.
Great review. Very accurate. Your cost of ownership are quite low compared to where I live. This engine is very reliable but it has some problems with oil leaks. You were lucky that you did not have to deal with those. You can actually replace clutched supercharger pulley without buying new supercharger.
Excellent video. Loved the reason to sell and loved the conclusion. That's why I bought a 19 year old CLK to my first car.